New Zealand vs Ireland LIVE Rugby: Latest set-up and updates from Wellington Third Test

Just the only change in the starting XI for Ireland, so impressive in Dunedin last weekend. Garry Ringrose came out with an HIA after he and Ta’avao clashed and didn’t return – Bundee Aki, who really called the shots after his introduction last week, replaces Ringrose in the middle with Robbie Henshaw moving up a spot to 13th .

Keith Earls, who midweek captained the Irish team that beat the Maori All Blacks, takes Aki’s place on an otherwise familiar bench.

Ireland XV: porter, sheehan, furlong; Beirne, Ryan; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris; Gibson Park, Sexton (c); Lowe, Aki, Henshaw, Hansen; Keenan.

Substitutes: Herring, Healy, Bealham, Treadwell, Conan; Murray, Carbery, Earls.

Late changes for the All Blacks were delayed in the media a few days ago but were only officially confirmed today. Scott Barrett has barely trained and was surprisingly left out, granting Akira Ioane a promotion to present another, perhaps more explosive, threat at the blindside flanker. Tupou Vaa’i is a late addition to the substitutes.

Angus Ta’avao is suspended after being sent off last weekend, leaving the enduring Nepo Laulala in lockstep at Tighthead, while Aidan Ross is another late scratch – now Karl Tu’inukuafe is on the bench to cover the loosehead.

Perhaps to ask different questions in attack, David Havili replaces Quinn Tupaea in midfield while Will Jordan starts on the wing. Dane Coles is set to return from the bench, among others, but the name that catches the eye among the substitutes is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. The former rugby league superstar had a solid first season with the Blues and is ready for international honors in a second code.

New Zealand XV: Bower, Taylor, Laulala; Retallick, Whitelock; A Ioane, Cane (c), Savea; Smith, B.Barrett; Jordan, Havili, R. Ioane, Reece; JBarrett.

Substitutes: Coles, Tu’inukuafe, Tu’ungafasi, Vaa’i, Papalii; Fakatava, Mo’unga, Tuivasa-Sheck.

Morning! Well, that’s all pretty tasty, isn’t it? The final Saturday of this summer swing and four crucial encounters to fill the day, starting at the Cake Tin in windy Wellington, where Ireland are in search of even more history – and the pressure on the All Blacks, who have been forced, is intense into late changes…

While the focus is understandably more on the big picture, this weekend is likely to mark a major personal milestone in Johnny Sexton’s career.

The Irish skipper, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, is close to becoming only the second man to reach 1,000 points in the green jersey. He already has 78 points against the All Blacks and only needs six more to go into four figures overall.

Only Ronan O’Gara (1,083) has done more. Sexton has a better points-per-game average than former rival O’Gara and will be desperate to lead his team to glory as his 108th cap draws him level with Paul O’Connell.

Better than a World Cup semi-final?

Ireland’s previous failure to reach a World Cup semi-final is well documented. Still, Irish star Brian O’Driscoll believes a tour triumph over the All Blacks would be a bigger hit.

The Kiwis became the youngest side to qualify Ireland for the first time thanks to a 46-14 win in Japan three years ago. Retired center O’Driscoll believes inclusion in the exclusive list of teams that have enjoyed series success in New Zealand could provide a “tangible” reward for Farrell’s men and be worn as a badge of honour.

With a World Cup quarter-final rematch against New Zealand in the offing next year in France, the win would certainly bolster the growing faith in Ireland’s ranks.

The pressure on the All Blacks coach is mounting

Ian Foster has turned to experience to avoid trouble as he struggles to convince expectant New Zealand crowds of his abilities.

The Kiwi head coach has come under fire after suffering three losses in his last four Tests. Influential lockdown Sam Whitelock is returning from a concussion to bolster a pack further bolstered by tighthead prop Nepo Laulala, while center David Havili and winger Will Jordan are finally ready to go after bouts of coronavirus.

Although Foster – who served as an assistant under predecessor Steve Hansen – has his critics, the current media consensus suggests his job is not on the line just yet.

More story in the making?

New Zealand have not suffered a series of home defeats since losing 2-0 to France 28 years ago. After an alarming start to their tour, Ireland responded in style to wrestle the momentum from their impressive hosts and stand a real chance at one of international rugby’s rarest performances.

The Irish have now won four of the last seven meetings between the two nations to significantly reduce – if not allay – the fear factor ahead of the All Blacks encounter.

Head coach Andy Farrell says the opportunity is “like gold dust” for his side and hopes “the best is saved for last”. Replicating the exploits of the French team in 1994 will see Ireland top the world rankings ahead of Les Bleus.

full-back Jordie Barrett is confident New Zealand can bounce back to secure series success against Ireland after second Test defeat prompted serious soul searching.

That All Black beat the Irish 42-19 in the opening game in Auckland two weeks ago but were powerless to avert last weekend’s disheartening 12-23 defeat in Dunedin and equalize 1-1.

New Zealand have not lost a home streak since 1994 and face a battle to hold that record in Saturday’s crunch clash in Wellington.

“Now it’s our turn to respond,” said 25-year-old Barrett. “We feel like a lot of this is in our control and we can influence this game.

“We have to put the performance in the park and get the job done because it’s not going to be easy.”

Native New Zealander James Lowe admits he never considered returning for a shot at touring success via the All Black when he left his homeland for Ireland.

Winger Lowe, who previously represented the Maori all blackschanged international affiliation under residency rules in 2020, three years after joining Leinster from Hamilton-based club The Chiefs.

The 30-year-old, who was a try scorer in the All Blacks’ 29-20 loss in Dublin last autumn, was selected for all three Tests and is keen to ‘blow the All Blacks’ yet again.

Andy Farrell warned there was more to come from Ireland as he urged his players to bring “a bit of chaos” to New Zealand’s schedule during today’s crucial Test.

The Irish made history last weekend with their away win All Black for the first time to level the series 1-1 and stage a crisp clash in Wellington.

Head coach Farrell is braced for backlash from the three-time world champions but hopes “the best will be saved for last” as his side seek to complete a landmark tour triumph.

“Everyone is aware of the magnitude of the task at hand, but there is great joy in completing it,” he said.

“The best thing about our position is that we know we can do better. Even if we achieved a decent result in the last test, hopefully our best will remain until the end.”